HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975 03-13 PCM MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF
HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA
REGULAR MEETING
CITY HALL
March 13 , 1975
Call to Order: The Planning Commission met in regular session
and was called to order at 8 : 05 p.m. by Chair-
man Pro-tem Robert Foreman.
Roll Call: Chairman Pro-tem Foreman, Commissioners Scott,
Pierce and Horan. Also present was Director
of Planning and Inspection Blair Tremere.
Approve Minutes :
2-27-75 Motion by Commissioner Scott, seconded by
Commissioner Horan to approve the minutes of
February 27 , 1975 meeting as submitted. The
motion passed unanimously.
Application No. 73044 Following the Chairman ' s explanation, the first
(Sue Dunkley) item of business was consideration of Planning
Commission. Application No. 73044 submitted by
Ms. Sue Dunkley. The data was introduced by
the Secretary, who stated the City Council had
approved a special use permit for a day school
at 1200 69th Avenue North, on December 17,
1973, and specified an annual renewal from the
date of issuance.
He explained there was no record of complaints
and the Building Official had reviewed the
premises , reporting that minimum requirements
were met.
The Secretary reviewed documents submitted to
the file by the applicant, which describe the
nature of the operation and which authorize
the operation on the premises by the Lutheran
Church of the Master.
Chairman Pro-tem Foreman recognized the applicant
and a brief discussion ensued. She explained
the school involves approximately 80 individual
children which attend different sessions during
the week. She explained the state license
authorized instruction of 30 children per
session.
. During further discussion, Commissioner Horan
inquired as to outside play activity. The
applicant explained that State requirement for
such activity had been waived due to the short
duration of the classes. She stated therefore,
no outside play facilities were required.
Action Recommending Following further discussion, there was a motion
Approval of Application by Commissioner Scott, seconded by Commissioner
No. 73044 Pierce to recommend reaffirmation of Planning
(Ms. Sue Dunkley) Commission Application No. 73044 submitted by
Ms. Sue Dunkley, subject to the following
conditions :
1. The premises will be held in compliance
with all applicable State and local
regulations , and such compliance will be
documented by the appropriate inspection
agencies to the City annually.
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2 . The operation shall be in accordance with
the provisions of the applicant' s operating
license , a copy of which will be submitted
to the City annually.
The motion passed unanimously.
The next item of business was consideration of Application No. 73022
Planning Commission Application No. 73022 (James O'Brien)
submitted by James O'Brien. The item was
introduced by the Secretary, who explained that
on July 23, 1973 , the City Council approved
plans for a 168 unit apartment complex known
as "Villa La Vaca" on an approximate 13 acre
site located at 70th and Camden Avenues North.
He stated the site had once been comprehended
as a phase of the Columbus Village project.
He explained that since that time, the applicant
had modified the exterior decor, certain site
improvements , and the name of the project----
"Spanish Quarter. " He commented that the
number of units remained the same and represented
the maximum density permitted under the former
land area requirements in effect at the initial
approval.
He also commented, the applicant was in the
process of applying for federal financing and
that during the review by Housing and Urban
Development officials , certain questions had
been raised as to the berming requirements and
perimeter screening, which had been approved
by the City. He stated that it had been
suggested proposed alternative screening
treatments be considered utilizing the existing
trees.
The Secretary reviewed the Spanish Quarter site
and building plans , showing various amendments
including the location of pedestrian walkways
throughout the site. He recommended that the
originally approved landscape plan be re-
affirmed.
The Chairman Pro-tem Foreman recognized Mr.
Dempsey Mork, who represented the applicant, and
a review ensued of a photographic exhibit sub-
mitted by the applicant, representing the growth
of trees on the site. Mr. Mork explained that
HUD officials were concerned that the existing
trees be retained as much as possible, and had
also suggested that they be utilized as part of
the screening.
The Secretary commented that it would be in
order to review the site in terms of possible
retention and use of trees, in lieu of or as
a complement to the approved landscaping, once
the project was physically under way. He
stated that it would not be appropriate to amend
the landscape plan at this time, since it was
not clear as to the exact quantity or quality
of the plantings on the site.
The Secretary also commented that the original
Columbus Village plan had contained substantially
more landscaping, and that during the approval
of the present application in 1973, the applicant
had requested approval of substantial berming in
lieu of the use of some of the substantial land-
scaping originally approved for Columbus Village
Phase II.
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Mr. Mork explained that he had related to HUD
officials the intent to adhere to the City' s
approved landscaping plan, with the consideration
that the City and the developer could evaluate
the existing landscaping once the site devel-
opment was under way.
Commissioner Jacobson Commissioner Jacobson arrived at 9 :00 p.m.
Arrives :
During further discussion, the Commission re-
viewed the 1973 approved plans and noted the
provision for substantial berming to provide a
visual break from the mass of the buildings as
well as screening of the parking areas .
Commissioner Foreman noted that the original
plans had indicated a small utility building near
the swimming pool for purposes of storage and
auxiliary pool equipment, and that such a building
was not indicated on the revised plans. Mr.
Mork responded that the intent was to store the
equipment and other materials either in the utility
room of the nearby apartment building or in one
of the provided garage stalls .
With respect to parking, the Secretary noted that
the plan indicated 222 outside stalls , whereas
an audit of the provided parking spaces indicated
there were 212 . He noted that the total parking
exceeded the ordinance requirement in consider-
ation of the additional 168 garage parking spaces.
Action Recommending Following further discussion, there was a motion
Approval of Application by Commissioner Horan, seconded by Commissioner
No. 73022 Scott to recommend approval of the revised site
ames O'Brien) and building plans contained in Planning
Commission Application No. 73022 submitted by
James O'Brien subject to the following conditions :
1. Building plans are subject to review by
the Building Inspector with respect to
applicable codes prior to the issuance of
a permit.
2 . Grading, drainage, utility and berming plans
are subject to review by the City Engineer
prior to the issuance of permits .
3. A performance agreement and financial
guarantee (in an amount to be determined
by the City Manager) shall be submitted to
the City to insure installation of site
improvements as designated on approved plans.
4. Berming and landscape plans may be reviewed
by the City with respect to incorporating
existing plantings into the approved land-
scaping plan, once the site development is
under way.
Voting in favor : Chairman Pro-tem Foreman,
Commissioners Horan, Pierce and Scott. Not voting:
Commissioner Jacobson, who explained that she had
not been present for much of the hearing.
Other Business : In other business , the Secretary commented that
(Proposed Brooklyn Park notice had been received from the City of Brooklyn
Rezoning) Park as to a proposed rezoning, from Residential
to Business , of the property located at the north-
east quadrant at the intersection of 73rd and
Lyndale Avenues North. He stated that Brooklyn
Center residents within 350 feet had been notified
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and that a number of citizens , including
Commissioner Foreman, had attended the
scheduled public hearing on March 12 , 1975.
He explained that the proposal was opposed
by residents of the area and the City as
being inconsistent with the character of
the area as well as with the Brooklyn Park
Comprehensive Plan, which was recently adopted.
He stated the proposed commercial zoning
represented a high-intensity usage and
represented spot zoning.
The Secretary also commented that the matter
had been tabled for 30 days by the Brooklyn
Park Planning Commission at the request of
the developer. Commissioner Foreman stated
that a number of citizens in the area from
both Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park were
very concerned as to the future use of the
property and intended to pursue the matter
during scheduled hearings.
Commissioner Foreman suggested that the
Planning Commission consider adopting a
resolution speaking to the issue, and it
was the consensus of the Commission to
direct the staff to prepare a draft resolution.
The Secretary explained that the staff had
already considered notifying the City of
Brooklyn Park as to Brooklyn Center' s concerns ,
and that such a draft document could be
prepared for consideration at the study session.
In other business , the Secretary briefly (Pending Items)
reviewed a number of pending items including a
proposed upgrading and commercial use for the
former Casey' s Market at 57th and Logan
Avenues North. He commented that the site was
severely restricted as to its capability of
supporting the required complement of parking,
given the large building size and the relatively
small dimensions of the property. He stated
that the prospective owner represented a
relatively low intense use and that the staff
would be working with him in developing a
site plan to be brought before the Commission
and Council for approval.
Motion by Commissioner Jacobson, seconded by Adjournment
Commissioner Pierce to adjourn the meeting.
The motion passed unanimously. The
Planning Commission adjourned at 11 : 30 p.m.
A44��� 4kov� I
Chairman
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